Course Planning & Program Requirements
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Choosing classes
When choosing classes, aim to schedule times that are convenient, classes that seem most interesting, and professors whom students hold in high regard. You will need to evaluate and weigh many relevant details before you register:
- Course descriptions
- Finals schedule information
- Academic program requirements
- Class and teacher evaluations
Northwestern University's web site contains this useful information that will help you choosing which courses to take:
- Course Descriptions
The Registrar's Office posts descriptions of the upcoming quarter's classes (prior to pre-registration) and maintains an archive of past descriptions. Descriptions include expected enrollments, topical summaries, teaching methods, and required readings. - Finals Schedule
Make sure that the times for your final exams do not overlap and plan a test schedule that works best for you. - Undergraduate Course Catalog (PDF)
Review the requirements for every degree, major, minor, and certificate program offered at Northwestern. - Course and Teacher Evaluations (CTECs)
CTECs allow you to see what past students have thought about particular courses and teachers. These evaluations will give you a general sense for the class and how students have reacted to the professors' teaching styles. - Yearly Course Planner
This useful tool allows you to see when particular courses are slated throughout the current academic year.
Transferring non-NU course credits from summer courses
Students need prior approval to transfer non-NU course credits to NU. There is neither a list of schools from which NU automatically accepts credit, nor a list of approved courses that NU maintains.
Therefore, take the following steps.
Before summer:
- Pick up or download an application for non-NU course credit from the dean or adviser's office of your school, or go to the Office of the Registrar's web site to download your school's application.
- Consult with your individual school advisor, obtain his or her signature, if necessary, and follow your school's guidelines since courses must be taken at an accredited institution and in curriculum areas recognized by NU.
- Most schools require you to take the form and detailed material about the course (course descriptions/syllabi/lab schedules) to the representative of the NU academic department where the equivalent course is offered so that the proposed course can be evaluated.
- If you want the course to count toward your major/minor, you will also need approval from your major/minor department.
About Northwestern transfer requirements:
- Some NU schools do not accept credit from two-year institutions.
- You must comply with NU's residence requirement.
- NU schools have restrictions on the number and types of courses they will accept from other institutions and will only accept credit for grades of C or higher.
After summer:
- Transcripts should be sent to the NU Registrar's Office before the end of the following Fall quarter. (Degree Auditor, Registrar's Office, Northwestern University, 633 Clark Street, Evanston, IL 60208-1118)
- Check back with the Registrar's Office in mid-October to ensure that your transcripts have arrived and the approval process has begun.
